Method of forming a dispensing package

ABSTRACT

A package for dispersing thin sheet-like articles such as film sandwich bags, and normally embodying either a rectanguarly or triangularly shaped carton having an exit slot along an edge or mid-region of one of its panels. The need for a separate insert for positioning the articles at the exit slot is avoided by the use of member die cut as one piece with the carton blank. In the assembled package the member is folded inwardly such that its free edge is disposed adjacent the exit slot, with the articles being dropped over the free edge such that they are properly presented at the slot for dispersing. Such a package is efficiently assembled by either machine or manual techniques.

United States Patent [191 Crouch et al.

METHOD OF FORMING A DISPENSING PACKAGE Inventors: George D. Crouch, Delran, N.J.;

Related U.S. Application Data (ontinuution of Ser. No. 861,323. Sept. 26. I969, abandoned.

U.S. Cl. 53/32 Int. Cl B65! 11/48 Field of Search 53/29, 32

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/l9 7l Buttery 221/33 Oct. 9, 1973 A package for dispersing thin sheet-like articles such as film sandwich bags, and normally embodying either a rectanguarly or triangularly shaped carton having an exit slot along an edge or mid-region of one of its panels. The need for a separate insert for positioning the articles at the exit slot is avoided by the use of member die cut as one piece with the carton blank. In the assembled package the member is folded inwardly such that its free edge is disposed adjacent the exit slot, with the articles being dropped over the free edge such that they are properly presented at the slot for dispersing. Such a package is efficiently assembled by either machine or manual techniques.

ABSTRACT 2 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PATENTED GET 9 I973 sum 20F INVENTORS.

0 .0 ,nw a Y um 5 m9 N w M M W m u w 2 M 0 m 5Y B PATENIED UB1 9 i973 3.763.623 SHEET 3 BF @14 58a 16 a liq 50a 520 l QIZIIQ 1:1 52 26a 2027 Ge org METHOD OF FORMING A DISPENSING PACKAGE This application is a continuation of Ser. No.

' 861,323, filed Sept. 26, I969, now abandoned.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 1. Field of Invention The present invention relates to an improved dispensing package and method for assembling the same. More particularly, it relates to a package for individually dispensing thin sheet-like articles such as plastic film bags.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art Packaging of sandwich bags for retail sale, or larger bags, such as storage or utility bags usually requires (1) that the package be constructed to permit individual dispensing of such items; and (2) that the item be placed in the carton or package in a certain manner, usually by folding the items and positioning the fold at an exit slot or opening.

Normally such package constructions include a separate insert member, oftentimes in the form of a flat sheet of paper-board or like material as, for example, of the type taught in US. Pat. No. 3,195,772. In assembling such package a stack of film bags or like items is folded around an edge of the insert and the insert loaded into the carton such that the bag fold is positioned at the cartons opening or exit slot. Thus, as each succeeding bag is removed from the carton, the fold of the next underlying bag is presented at the slot for dispersing.

The put up of such items on the insert, and the positioning of the insert in the carton with respect to the carton's opening or exit slot requires certain standards of stock handling or manipulation frequently made difficult due to surface slickness and/or thinness of the bag material. Such stacks, for example, are easily disarranged by inadvertent handling, and once disarranged are difficult to realign to a degree sufficient for put up on the insert or for loading into the carton. Moreover, the use of a two piece package construction, i.e., the carton and insert, generally complicates package assembly,.whether machine or manually assembled.

Accordingly, it is among the objects of the present invention to provide the following:

A new and improved package for dispensing thin sheet-like items or articles wherein a one piece carton construction is utilized, i.e., where a separate step for put up of such items on an insert or like member is not required;

A new and improved blank construction which when assembled includes an internal support member for properly positioning'thin sheet-like articles adjacent an exit slot or opening to assist in dispensing such items;

and

A new and improved system for assembly of packages for dispensing thin sheet-like items wherein the manipulative steps required to assemble the carton and to load such items therein are complimentary on an efficient basis, to either machine or manual assembly techniques.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly then, the present invention contemplates an improved dispensing package for thin sheet-like articles such as plastic film sandwich bags, utility bags and the like. Such a package includes an internal support member of generally flat sheet-like configuration which foldably carries a stack of such articles and properly presents the fold of the same at the package exit slot or opening. The support member at its end opposite the exit slot is integrally joined together with one of the panels comprising the carton portion of the package, and is formed as one piece with the blank material used to assemble the carton. By such carton or package construction and assemblage, the need for a separate insert or core member to properly position the article within the package is avoided.

The preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which wheresoever possible, like characters of reference designate corresponding materials and parts throughout the several views thereof in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of a carton blank of a construction suitable for forming certain of the improved dispensing packages of the present invention;

FIGS. 2-5 are schematic and diagrammatic illustrations, respectively, representing in numerical order the various steps in assembling the blank of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a front-elevational view of a package of rectangular shape and assembled from the carton blank of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views of the package of FIG. 6 taken along reference lines 77 and 88, respectfully, thereof;

FIG. 9 is a view like FIG. 1 only showing a modified form of the blank construction of the present invention;

FIGS. 10-12 are schematic and diagrammatic illustrations, respectively, representing in numerical order thel various steps in assembling the carton blank of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a view like FIG. I only showing yet another modified form of the carton blank construction of the present invention;

FIGS. 14 and 15 are schematic and diagrammatic illustrations, respectively, representing the various steps in assembling the carton blank of FIG. I3 such as to obtain a package of triangular shape; and

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view like FIG. 7 only illustrating yet another modified package structure of triangular shape.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings,

there is shown in FIG. 1 a carton blank 10 die cut from paper board, paper sheet, plastic or like conventional carton material.

Blank 10 includes four side panels numbered evenly 16-22, respectively,'arranged in succession and foldably connected together along score or fold lines 24, 26 and 28, respectively. Side panels 16-22 each connect to two end flaps of like numbers l6'-22', respectively, along score lines 30 and 32, respectively. Blank l0 further includes support panels or members 34 and 36 of a width y greater than that of the side panels, and which connect to side panels 16 and 22, respectively, along score lines 38 and 40; and a removable or tear-off strip or part 44 located centrally on blank 10, i.e., at score line 26, and formed such as by perforations 46. Tearoff strip 44 includes at one end a tab 48 which is bendable outwardly along score line 50 to permit initial grasping of strip 44 for removal of the same.

Referring now to member 34 and score line 38, the mid-region of the latter is designated as area 52. Area 52 defines the innermost portion of a tongue member of tab 54 die cut in member 34. Tongue member 54 is shaped to include a restricted or neck region 56 adjacent area 52, and a bulbous shaped outer part or head region 58. Briefly, tongue 54 is adapted to assist in assembly of carton in a manner to be described, and to this end there is provided a slit or aperture 60 positioned at score line 40, and of a dimension sufficient to receive tongue 54.

FIGS. 2-5 illustrate the assembly of blank 10, the resulting package 12 being shown in FIGS. 6-8 as containing sheet-like articles 14. For exemplary purposes, articles 14 can comprise plastic film sandwich bags packed in lots of usually 50-100 bags.

In assembly, the bags 14 are initially arranged in a stack 62 of such numbers, i.e., 50 to 100 bags, and the stack placed on top the middle part of blank 10 so as to be generally confined between score lines 30 and 32, and 38 and 40, respectively. Members 34 and 36 are then folded upwardly along score lines 38 and 40, respectively, to a position as generally indicated at FIG. 2. Thereafter, as indicated by the direction of arrows 64 and 66 in FIG. 2, member 34 and side panel 16, and member 36 and side panel 22, are folded along score lines 24 and 28, respectively, to an intermeidate position as shown in FIG. 3; and then by continued folding along score lines 24 and 28, as denoted by arrows 68 and 70 in FIG. 3, to a second intermediate position comprising a double triangular configuration or hollow triangular parts 72 and 74, respectively, as is illustrated at FIG. 4. In such latter position, the free edges 88 and 90 of members 34 and 36, respectively, press the midregion of stack 62 against tear-off strip 44 of panels 18 and 20.

Moreover, folding pops" or releases tongue 54 from panel 34 such that it assumes positions, for example, as generally illustrated sequentially in FIGS. 2-4, the ultimate position of tongue 54 following such folding being to a degree dependent on the amount or scoring or non-scoring in area 52, or in other words, the hinged part of tongue 54.

Triangular parts 72 and 74 are then folded together along score line 26 as indicated by arrows 76 and 78; and tongue 54 is pressed downwardly, as indicated by arrow 79, and directed or received into slot 60, thereby forming a rectangular-shaped cavity including members 34 and 36 diagonally disposed therein, as is best shown in FIG. 5.

Flaps 16'-22' are thereafter successively folded inwardly along score lines 30 and 32, respectively, in a sequence for each package end, for example, of first flaps 16' followed by flaps 22', 18', and in that order (not shown). The underside of flaps 20, respectively, are thenjoined together with the next underlying flap, i.e., flaps 18', respectively, thereby securing the ends of package 12, as it is shown in its finished form in FIG. 6. Conventionally, glue layers such as suitable hot-melt adhesives are employed with the same being spot" or otherwise preregistered at the undersides of flaps 20', respectively, as is denoted by glue layer 80 in FIG. 8.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 6-8, package 12 structure as depicted in its upright orientation defines a rectangularly shaped cavity 82 formed by side panels 16-22. The package is openable by removing tear-off strip 44 to provide an edgewise disposed exit slot or opening 84, as is best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Members 34 and 36 are arranged in generally flat, superposed coextensive fashion in cavity 82 (see FIG. 7) and extend diagonally from an area adjacent exit opening 84 to the opposite edge or corner 86 of package 12. At edge 86 members 34 and 36 separately merge with panels 16 and 22, respectively, along score lines 38 and 40, respectively. At their opposite ends or free edges 88 and 90, members 34 and 36 foldably carry stack 62 of bags 14 such as to present the folded region 92 of the stack at exit slot 84 for dispensing. Tongue 54 is receivably held in aperture and is disposed generally at the underside of panel 22 which panel forms the bottom portion of package 12 in its denoted orientation.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a modified carton blank 10a is shown of a structure similar to blank 10 except tongue 54 and aperture 60 are deleted; and a sealing panel or member 94 is substituted for support member 36. Sealing panel 94 and side panels 16a-22a are of a width x somewhat less than that of support member 34a.

Blank 10a is assembled as shown in FIGS. 10-12 including the steps of:

A. Folding sealing panel 94 upwardly along score line 40a; and folding member 34a and side panel 16a along score lines 38a and 24a, respectively, to form triangular part 720 with free edge 88a of member 34a pressing atop stack 62 (see FIG. 10);

B. Folding side panels 20a and 22a upwardly and inwardly along score lines 260 and 28a, respectively, such as to move sealing panel 94 over the apex of triangular part 72a, as illustrated in FIG. 11; followed by continued folding along score line 26a, 28a and 40a, as is indicated by arrow 96 in FIG. 11, to direct sealing panel 94 generally downwardly into superposed position aside side panel 16a, as is illustrated in FIG. 12; and

C. Joining sealing panel 94 to side panel 160 such as by a conventional glue or hot-melt adhesive layer or strip pre-applied, as for example, to surface 98 of side panel 16a (not shown) such that it is interposed being the sealing panel and side panel 16a.

Thereafter end fiaps 16a22a' can be folded sequentially inwardly, as for example, in a sequence like that described above with regard to package 12 and secured in place such as by gluing as described.

The cross section of the resultant package 12a structure will be as is indicated schematically at FIG. 12, and comprises a rectangular cavity 100 formed by side panels 16a-22a and sealing panel 94. Member 34a is positioned diagonally within cavity 100 and its free edge 88a is disposed at package edge or comer 102 adjacent tear-off strip 44a. Member 340 extends from adjacent edge 102 to the opposite package edge 104 and joins thereat to side panel 16a along score line 38a. Foldably carried about free edge 880 are bags 14 such that their folded region 920 is positioned at the vicinity of tear-off strip 44a to enable convenient dispensing of the bags.

The principles and teachings of the present invention are further susceptible to embodiment in triangularly shaped packages as illustrated herein by FIGS. 13-15. Thus, in FIG. 13 there is shown a blank 10b for forming such a package including three side panels numbered evenly 106-110, and foldably connected together along score lines 112 and 114. Centermost side panel 108 contains a tear-off strip or part 44b defined such as by perforations 118. Blank 10b further includes end flaps 106'l10' which connect to like numbered side panels 106-1 10, respectively, along score lines 1120 and 122; and support members 34b and 36b which are joined to outermost side panels 106 and 110, respectively, along score lines 124 and 126, respectively. End flaps 108 are cut as several parts 128 for purposes as will be explained more fully hereinafter.

Assembly of blank b is by steps and in a sequence generally like that discussed in detail above in regard to blank 10, i.e., package 12. Thus a stack of sheet-like articles or bags 14 can be placed atop the mid-region of blank 10b, and members 34b and 36b and panels 106 and 110 folded along the appropriate score lines to shape blank 10b into triangular parts 72b and 74b, as is illustrated in FIG. 14. Centermost panel 108 is then bowed, thereby moving triangular parts 72b and 74b together to form a generally triangularly shaped cavity 130, as is denoted in FIG. 12. The partially assembled blank 10b is then held in place by a suitable tongue and slot arrangement as described above, or by other appropriate arrangements such as a glue layer at the interface between members 34b and 36b, or by clamps or like suitable holding means (not shown).

End flaps 16'-1l0 are thereafter folded inwardly and secured to close the ends of package 12b. More specifically, flaps 106' can be folded inwardly, first, followed by flaps 108 and then flaps 110', and thereafter the flaps can be glued together in appropriate or conventional fashion. The several parts 128 comprising flaps 108 permit such folding along bowed fold lines 120 and 122, respectively, in the vicinity of bowed central side panel 108.

Package 12b is characterized as having a bowed front panel or central panel 108 including tear-off strip 44b disposed centrally thereon. Members 34b and 36b extend from adjacent strip 44b to the apex 132 of triangular cavity 130 whereat they join with side panels 106 and 110, respectively, along score lines 124 and 126, respectively. Bags 14 are foldably carried about free edges 88b and 90b or members 34b and 36b, such that they are properly presented adjacent tear-off strip 44b for dispensing.

Referring now to FIG. 16, there is shown another modification of the present invention as embodied in yet another triangularly shaped package 12c, the same including foldably joined side panels l6c-22c respectively. Panels 16c and 220 lie generally in a common plane and can have a width dimension w of approximately half that of the width 1 of panels 100 and 20c. Support panels 340 and 360 have a height or width dimension h preferably intermediate of dimensions w and z and at least less than and extend from a region adjacent the apex 134 of package 120 downwardly to join with panels 160 and 220, respectively, at score lines 38C and 40C, respectively. Foldably carried about the free edges of members 34c and 36c are bags M such that the bags are properly presented adjacent apex 134 for dispensing. Package 12c can be formed from a blank (not shown) similar to blank 10 except incorporating the indicated relative dimensions between its side panels and support members; and further with appropriate modifications to its end flaps such that they are shaped to close the triangularly configured package ends. Such a blank is assembled by steps and in a sequence generally similar to that shown in FIGS. 2-5, the resultant package being triangularly shaped, of course, due to the indicated modifications in blank structure.

As is indicated hereinbefore, the package constructions of the present invention are assembled efficiently by machine or manually. Machine assembly, for example, can utilize various plowing stations to fold or plow the aforesaid side panels and support members to their illustrated positions automatically and on a continuous basis.

While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for the purpose of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Accordingly, what is claimed as new is:

11. A method of automatically erecting a carbon blank of foldably joined side panels and end flaps about thin sheet-like articles while automatically folding and positioning the fold of such articles in held relationship adjacent an exit slot means in the carton, and in a manner to permit convenient dispensing of said articles through said exit slot means, said method comprising the steps of:

a. loading a stack of said articles onto said blank in generally symmetrical positioning with respect to said exit slot means, said exit slot means being located generally centrally in said blank;

b. foldably moving the panels on opposite sides of said exit slot means in a direction clockwise and counter-clockwise, respectfully, about said stack to erect said carton thereaboilt;

c. accompanying step (b), positioning an edge of said blank in juxtaposition across said stack and adjacent the middle portion thereof so that as said carton is erected, the panels cooperating with said edge automatically fold and position said stack about said edge, whereby the middle folded portion of the stack is retained in supported positioning about said edge, and held adjacent said exit slot means; and

d. closing and securing said end flaps to secure the erected carton about said stack.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein step (c) comprises positioning opposite edges of said blank in juxtaposition across said stack, whereby said stack is folded about a double edge portion. 

1. A method of automatically erecting a carbon blank of foldably joined side panels and end flaps about thin sheet-like articles while automatically folding and positioning the fold of such articles in held relationship adjacent an exit slot means in the carton, and in a manner to permit convenient dispensing of said articles through said exit slot means, said method comprising the steps of: a. loading a stack of said articles onto said blank in generally symmetrical positioning with respect to said exit slot means, said exit slot means being located generally centrally in said blank; b. foldably moving the panels on opposite sides of said exit slot means in a direction clockwise and counter-clockwise, respectfully, about said stack to erect said carton thereabout; c. accompanying step (b), positioning an edge of said blank in juxtaposition across said stack and adjacent the middle portion thereof so that as said carton is erected, the panels cooperating with said edge automatically fold and position said stack about said edge, whereby the middle folded portion of the stack is retained in supported positioning about said edge, and held adjacent said exit slot means; and d. closing and securing said end flaps to secure the erected carton about said stack.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein step (c) comprises positioning opposite edges of said blank in juxtaposition across said stack, whereby said stack is folded about a double edge portion. 